Today was the first day of a new school year for my three kids. They are busy children. I love to have them home on holidays - they busily set about amusing themselves by 'making stuff'.

Miss 15 decided she wanted to make herself a pencil case. She found my Amy Butler scraps and went to town:
This little project signifies the emergence of 'a girl who sews' to me. Armed with Oh Fransson's excellent wristlet pattern, she made this entirely by herself.
The 12-year-old boy's obsession with origami continues unabated. These holidays it was all about increasing complexities ... 
For me, there was some time to finally conquer the dreaded 8-way pinwheel seam. This is part of a project to be published later in the year, so 'Mum's the word'!
The first day back for another school year leaves me a little melancholy that my time with my kids is flying by. For one reason or another I have had Colin Buchanan's 'Be Strong and Courageous' in my head.

Be strong and courageous the Lord of the ages

Holds all his little ones safe by his side

Be strong and courageous the Lord of the ages

Holds all his little ones safe

Do not fear the fire / darkness / enemy

Do not fear the water / sadness / poverty

Do not fear the thunder / sickness / eternity

Jesus has conquered them all

This was written as a message for children, but today I feel like it was written for me!

So today the house is quiet and there is time to catch up with all the jobs that have been on standby.

Bloom x

P.S. By the end of the day I was singing U2's 'Helter Skelter' in my head. What does that say?!  School's in session!

When you get to the bottom

You go back to the top of the slide

And you stop and you turn

And you go for a ride

Then you get to the bottom

Then you see me again


Helter skelter

Helter skelter

Helter skelter